Herbert Graf wrote:
>
> >         I've seen on TV advertisement, a device which promises to
> > bring down
> > electricity consumption. Interestingly, they show a test, wherein they
> > plug the device in one of the outlets  where other appliances such as
> > refs, TV's, aircons, motors and the likes are also plugged in. The
> > ammeter shows significant drops in readings. Are these devices, safe to
> > use together with our appliances, do you recommend these kind of devices
> > ?
> >         I understand that these devices has something to do with
> > power factor
> > correction, can you point some resources where i can learn more.
> > Is a PIC based power factor corrector feasible,can you give me hints on
> > how to go about it. If it is ok, maybe i'll push thru with it one of
> > these days....
>
>     Chances are it is a very simple device, all it does is try to match the
> amount of capacitance or inductance on the system with the opposite, which
> eliminates the amount of complex power consumed. When you saw this
> demonstration which ammeter did they show, a hand held one? Did they show
> the actually power meter that the electrical company reads slow down? I
> doubt it since I believe all meters ignore the effects of this sort of
> thing. I don't believe it would damage anything, but I don't think it would
> reduce the amount of power the power company charges you for using, I might
> be wrong though. TTYL

My understanding's that the power company doesn't charge you for
REACTIVE loading, just real power you use, for regular consumers.
(Industrial users can get a discount for presenting a less inductive
load, but that's an entirely different bushel of worms!)  I haven't
heard a whole lot of power experts comment positively on those.

  Mark

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